MSU's Amber Sharratt: History in the Making
Feb. 8, 2006
"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
- George Santayana
Few college students would choose the words of a long-deceased philosopher to explain their career paths. However, this is exactly what Minnesota State senior defenseman Amber Sharratt has done to convey her passion for history and, much more importantly, why she wants to instill that passion in others.
"I think it is so important to know how things have happened and how drastically one or two events can change history," she says.
In fact, a singular event may have changed the course of Sharratt's academic career. She remembers in great detail a demonstration in a high school history class that showed students both the ingenuity and harsh reality of the assembly line process developed by Henry Ford in 1913. Students played the role of employees while the teacher, Mr. Buss, acted as foreman.
Recalls Sharratt, "We all had to sit very close together and some had to sit on the floor. He even had the lights flickering on and off while he walked through and yelled at the `workers' to compete with the other group for production."
As interesting as she finds the history of others, her own may be equally intriguing. Sharratt began skating in about the first grade but the skates she was lacing up were of the figure skating variety. That endeavor was short-lived, however, largely due to an observation by her mother.
"The exact quote was `You aren't graceful enough to be a figure skater'", said Sharratt with a laugh.
With an older brother already playing, the transition to hockey in third grade was a natural one. Sharratt's parents aided in her development by building a rink in the backyard, constructed with old railroad ties and homemade nets. Sharratt can recall her father spending hours flooding the rink with a garden hose.
The start to her hockey career even made it into a history book of sorts. As a young player, Sharratt was interviewed by Barbara Stewart for her book She Shoots..She Scores!, a guide to girl's and women's hockey, along with such women's hockey luminaries as Manon Rheaume and Cammi Granato. Sharratt attests she has no idea how Stewart found her or why she was chosen to give her thoughts on youth hockey for girls. It was not until two MSU teammates were reading the book to a group of kids that her cover was blown.
Sharratt made the transition from a successful career at Anoka High School to the collegiate world in the fall of 2002. In addition to being in a good location relative to her home in the north suburbs, Minnesota State offered Sharratt something she absolutely had to have: a chance to play college hockey. It was a decision that she has not regretted.
"I love being a Maverick even more than I loved being an Anoka Tornado," she says. "Being part of the Maverick athletic family has made me learn a lot about myself and how to be open to those who are different than me."
Head coach Jeff Vizenor cites Sharratt's attitude as a key component to her leadership abilities.
"One thing she consistently does is encourage those around her and get the very best out of her teammates," he says. "In her career, we have asked her to fill various roles and she has stepped in and done everything we have given her to do."
A testament to that reliability may soon be seen in the Maverick record book. Sharratt has missed just one game in her four-year career and is on pace to eclipse the career record for games played. While downplaying its significance, she concedes that it is an honor to have made a tangible mark on MSU hockey.
"It's a big deal, I guess. It makes me feel like I was a contributor," she says.
Her success on the ice has not come at the expense of her academics. Sharratt plans to graduate in the spring of 2007 after a student-teaching stint. Her grade point average of 3.36 is made more impressive when the time constraints she faces are taken into account. Similar to how she got better with more time spent on the ice, Sharratt says she learned how to better manage her time as she progressed through school.
"As I have gone along, I have learned how important it is to take notes in class, take good notes and study whenever I can find the time," she states. "I try to use the time on the bus or in the hotel to stay caught up or even get ahead."
Sharratt sees hockey as a vehicle for self-improvement in all areas of her life. She says that being part of an organization has helped make her more accountable and reliable and knows that she can rely on her teammates and coaches in return.
"If I ever needed anything from any of them, I know they would be there for me in a heartbeat," she says.
For someone with a firm grasp on the past, Sharratt is equally solid on her future. She fully intends to pass along her knowledge of the game as a coach in addition to her teaching career. No matter where she ends up, however, Sharratt will never get too far away from the Minnesota State program that she has had a hand in building.
"I will always be a Maverick," she says with pride evident in her voice.
Anyone wise enough to study it will find this is one history lesson worth repeating.
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